Valley Christian prepares for bounce-back season

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Valley Christian Football Program just continues to grow, whether it’s on the practice field that head coach Andy Hake affectionately calls the South Side Coliseum, or off the field with their practice facilities.

“Look where we practice. I don’t think nobody down here actually experienced what we had to go through. We came from the bottom,” senior Ahmire Dixon said.

At the former South High School, the Eagles prepare for a bounce-back campaign after dropping below .500 last season after the first perfect regular season in school history in 2022.

“This year, our mindset is to really bring holy seriousness. As a team, you want to come out and be aggressive, be fast to hit. We’re coming to hit for sure,” senior Alfred Coward said.

The Eagles only had two seniors on the roster a year ago so there are plenty returning, including back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Ja’Sean Lindsey , who has his eyes set on more in his final season.

“The goal is 2,000 plus this year. Man, got some great linemen in front of me, just ready to get to work,” Lindsey said.

“I could have an episode dedicated to a couple of these guys and Ja’Sean is one of them. This is my fourth year here and he’s been starting for me since he’s been a freshman,” Hake said. “He’s run for a thousand yards each year. He’s a special guy.”

Along with the workhorse back, there’s a core group of seniors that will be looking to take the reigns.

“I’ve been with these people almost all my football years here,” senior Jackson Bragg said. “When I first started freshman year, I wasn’t that good but they were…We all been good and now they’ll be seniors now. I think there’s a lot to be excited for.”

“I just think about, like, I’m here for a purpose. I got families in the stands watching me, players count on me, freshman looking up to me,” Dixon said. “I just think in my head, like, ‘You got somebody to do it for so go out there and just do you.'”

Coming into the new year, Coach Hake and company feel like they have the talent to compete with anyone on the field this season.

“If we do the right things on our part and they do the right things on their part, we can win them all,” Hake said. “I mean, we’re not playing the Chicago Bears, we’re not playing the Kansas City Chiefs. We’re playing other kids. So you know what? I believe in my guys.”

Over the years, as they have seen their play elevate on the field, the facilities around them are catching up with new locker rooms and more on the way.

“Seeing it evolve and get better, like, we’re not even trailers anymore,” said senior lineman Jymier Burrage.

Burrage said the program has seen what they can do.

“They’re just providing us with the things we need, and the field and everything to get better as a team and as a program, and make more people come into the school. It’s a nice thing,” he said.

The Eagles open up the season on Friday, Aug. 23 on the road as they travel up to Malvern.

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